diff --git a/unix/vncviewer/CConn.cxx b/unix/vncviewer/CConn.cxx
index 2454be2..aa21daa 100644
--- a/unix/vncviewer/CConn.cxx
+++ b/unix/vncviewer/CConn.cxx
@@ -684,7 +684,8 @@
       desktop->resetLocalCursor();
   }
   dotWhenNoCursor.setParam(options.dotWhenNoCursor.checked());
-  desktop->setNoCursor();
+  if (desktop)
+    desktop->setNoCursor();
   checkEncodings();
 }